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Automobiles over the past few decades, have gotten more and more technologically advanced, mostly for the better. We have seen very complex mechanical parts that are expensive and hard to repair being replaced with simplistic and efficient electronic counterparts. This makes the lives of both the driver and the mechanic much easier. An example of this is keyless ignition. It allows drivers to simply press a button once in the car. Or a key fob which allows drivers to unlock the vehicle from distance. This not only great for the driver but it also eliminates (nearly) the need for any future ignition repair.

Mechanical car key and key fob

One area in question when it comes to the pros and cons of using electronics is the area of mechanical car keys. Many car models today come with the option to have power locks that can be accessed from an electronic key fob. The user has the key fob on themselves at all times. But just because something is commonplace in society, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a safe and solid implementation that should be blindly adopted. The pros and cons must be analyzed between mechanical car key and electronic one called a key fob.

Safety Trumps All

When it comes to cars, safety is certainly a top priority for the vast majority of buyers. People would like to have the assurance that their vehicle will not be broken into while they are away from it. They want to have peace of mind altogether.

Many people believe that having a key fob with them allows them more freedom and peace of mind. They are able to control their car’s lock status from a long distance. This argument does indeed have some truth. Having a key fob can allow you to lock your car when you forgot it from a long distance to prevent any near-future theft. It also allows for the driver to signal the car’s alarm in the event of an emergency.

When it comes to electronic door locks

There are several safety concerns when it comes to electronic door locks. To start, many key fobs operate by sending out a frequency via infrared and radio waves. These waves transmit to the car lock system and unlock or lock the car. Because infrared and radio is such a dated and commonplace technology, it is very easy to manipulate and tap into the frequency that is being sent out.

Car thieves that are tech savvy can easily determine what frequency is being put out by your key fob. They create their own dummy key fob, and control your car when you are unaware. For this reason it is very important that you only purchase key fobs directly from the manufacturer of your car, and not a third party manufacturer, as their security built into the key fob tends to be lacking.

Embracing Tech

It is indeed much more expensive when purchasing from the manufacturer of your car. It is well worth the opportunity cost of having your vehicle broken into and potentially driven off without you knowing.

Electronics have been lifesavers and incredible convenience boosters for people across the world. But that doesn’t mean that technology is not without its faults. And this concept is no exception to the world of car tech. With solely having power locks, there are certain scenarios that would leave you unable to unlock your car.

For example if the battery in your car is dead, and your car does not have a mechanical car key, you are out of luck and will not be able to unlock your car. The same is true if your key fob has been damaged by force or by water seepage.

Not Functioning Key Fob

If your key fob is not functioning, you will not be able to get into your car without the mechanical key slots. If your key fob software fails and malfunctions, you will also not be able to unlock your car. With having mechanical car key, you will always without fail be able to unlock your car.

While electronic key locks certainly have their downfalls. It is ultimately a choice to the driver of how much they value the convenience of having electronic door locks. For some, they cannot resist the temptation of being able to remotely control their car or have keyless entry and ignition to their car. However, others may value security more and the reliability of being able to always access their vehicle, no matter what.

At the end of the day

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to make sure that you put a premium to security. Whether you prefer mechanical car key or electronic key fob, it’s best to allot a reasonable budget to ensure optimum safety and security for your property.